Attending arts academy has been simply delightful.  Initially I was excited about the experience for professional reasons.  I thought it would give me lots of ideas for integrating the arts with other core subject areas.  I was excited to have multiple ideas for incorporating each art form in a meaningful way.  These expectations were well met. However, the most important thing I gained from arts academy was not professional expertise, but rather an enlightening personal experience.
•    I was relieved of stress.
•    I had greater confidence in myself.
•    I felt connected to the group.
•    I laughed at my mistakes.
•    I understood parts of myself that I usually overlook.
•    I expressed my opinions.
•    I tried to understand others.
•    I learned practical skills.
While I realize this was not a research project, the affect of arts academy on me personally has given me even more reason to teach with the arts and teach the arts themselves.  If each of my students could have an arts experience everyday, I know they would leave my class feeling relieved of stress, confident, connected, talented and understood.

I have loved reading through the tabs that we marked in this book because it provides research to back up my love for the arts.  My favorite section so far has been the musical warm-ups.  Since music uses both sides of the brain, I am going to use these musical warm-ups to supplement the brain dance in my class.  What a quick way to engage all students in learning!

The Monday after Arts Academy, I started teaching in the style of Scott Flox with Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. I used this as a springboard for the next project.  Students selected an art print to re-produce with chalk.  I was nervous at first to use the big paper, but I took the plunge.  The black marker outlining was extremely helpful.

We completed the Van Gogh and the choice piece simultaneously. After I modeled contour line drawing on Sunflowers and they had a chance to practice, they would complete the same step with their choice re-production.  I think this really helped the kids keep each step fresh in their minds as we completed the projects.  I could see how the students thrived on the choice factor in this project.  The artwork is now hanging in the hall.  Teachers are begging me to leave them up as long as possible and students are nagging me about taking them home.